ABC in the News | All Better Care Urgent Care Center

4/25/13 8:38 AM

Walk-ins welcome: Urgent care centers and clinics growing in the midstate

By Body and Mind staff Follow on Twitter

on April 22, 2013 at 10:00 AM, updated April 22, 2013 at 10:10 AM
“Urgent care was created as an alternative to the emergency department and supplement what family medicine is doing,” said Dr. David White of Aspire

A few years ago, when your child woke up Sunday morning with a fever, a parent’s choices were limited. You could wait until your primary care office opened Monday morning or take a trip to the emergency department.

Since then, urgent care centers have cropped up in the midstate to fill the sick visit health care gap at a fraction of the time and the cost of a visit to the emergency department, with no appointments necessary.

“Urgent care was created as an alternative to the emergency department and supplement what family medicine is doing,” said Dr. David White, co-owner of Aspire Urgent Care and Family Medicine in Harrisburg.

Area hospitals are also opening satellite clinics.

“The concept is great,” said Dr. Gregory Smolin of All Better Care Urgent Care Center in Silver Spring Township. “It’s how we’re used to accessing goods and services, when you want it you go and get it. You go to a bank when you need to, you go to a grocery store when you need to. That accessibility was never available for health care before so it’s really caught on.”

Urgent care centers are able to offer more flexible care and hours than primary care doctors while relieving some of the overcrowding in hospital emergency departments. The centers use technology, support teams and a network of community medical resources to get their patients seen and treated fast. Patients can receive high-quality urgent medical care in a fraction of the time and the price of emergency departments, said Smolin.

According to a Harris Interactive/HealthDay poll released in January, 27 percent of adults surveyed said they had gone to either walk-in retail clinics or work-based clinics for care in the past two years. That’s up from just 7 percent

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in 2008, according to the survey. The survey also found younger adults were more apt to use a clinic.

Chuck Moran, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Medical Society, said it’s important for patients who use clinics to keep their regular doctor knows what treatment they receive.

“The key point that Pennsylvania Medical Society would like to make is that individuals should avoid fragmentation of care by using the right facility and making sure the primary care provider is in the loop,” Moran said.

Now many urgent care centers are expanding the services they offer their communities. Aspire provides urgent care, family medicine and counseling resources all under one roof with plans to expand this year.

“We really have a heart for preventive medicine and disease reversal and we’re going to be offering fitness and wellness services,” White said. Part of their community wellness outreach includes Team Aspire, a walking/running club that became so popular Aspire is now the sponsor of the Harrisburg Marathon.

With so many options in urgent care, it pays to do your homework.

“It’s just like any other service you access in the community,” said Smolin. “When you pick an urgent care center find out about it, find out who’s staffing it, read what people say in online reviews and shop wisely.”

Here’s a listing of the clinics in our area:

AllBetterCare Urgent Care Center

Locations:
• 6481 Carlisle Pike, Silver Spring Twp.
• Opening in Carlisle in August at 1175 Walnut Bottom Road www.allbettercare.net; 717-796-9355
Hours: Weekdays 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; weekends 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Services include: On-site digital x-ray and stat lab, EKG, respiratory therapy, IV hydration, slit lamp for eye exam and foreign body removal, on-site pharmacy, electronic medical record system including eRx electronic prescribing, automated allergy and drug interaction checker on all prescribed medications.

Staffed by: Residency trained, board certified emergency medicine physicians with physician assistants working under direct physician supervision.

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Insurance accepted: United Healthcare, Aetna, Capital Blue Cross, Cigna Health, Health America, Highmark, Medicare, Primesource, Tricare.

Primary care available?: Will be offered at new Carlisle location.

Aspire Urgent Care and Family Medicine

49 Prince St., Harrisburg
www.aspireucfm.com; 717-901-3440
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Services include: Treatment for illnesses and minor traumas including sinus infections, pink eye, UTI, STDs, simple fractures, puncture wounds, burns and sprains, on-site x-rays and lab tests, physicals, vaccines, primary care and counseling services.

Staffed by: Residency trained, board certified emergency medicine physicians, physician assistants. Insurance accepted: All major insurances.
Primary care services?: Yes, there is a by-appointment family medicine office on-site.

Concentra Urgent Care

Locations include:
• 4910 Ritter Road, Lower Allen Twp.; 717-795-1819
• 4400 Lewis Road, Ste. G & H, Swatara Twp.; 717-558-6708
www.concentra.com
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Services include: Acute and primary care services, workers’ compensation care, physical therapy, drug screenings

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and laboratory testing services.

Staffed by: Licensed physicians supported by a team of physician assistants, registered nurses and experienced medical clinicians.

Insurance accepted: All major health insurance plans accepted and centers offer “menu-board” pricing for self-pay patients.

Primary care provider?: No.

Holy Spirit Health System Spirit Urgent Care

431 N. 21st St., East Pennsboro Twp., next to Holy Spirit Hospital Opens Monday, April 29.
www.hsh.org
Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Services include: Care for non-life-threatening acute illnesses or injuries including colds and flu, cuts and bruises, ear and throat infections, fever, migraine headaches, allergies, skin rashes, sprains, stomach viruses and more. On- site X-ray and blood tests, flu and tetanus vaccines and tests for strep and tuberculosis. Many prescriptions can be filled on-site.

Staffed by: Board-certified physicians, nurses, imaging technologists and medical assistants. Insurance accepted: Most insurance plans are accepted.
Primary care provider?: No.

MedExpress Urgent Care

Locations include: 1010 W. Crestview Drive, Lebanon www.medexpress.com; 717-272-7469

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Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m., seven days a week

Services include: Full-service, neighborhood healthcare facility treating illnesses and injuries for all ages. Preventative services such as screenings, flu shots and sports physicals; performs X-rays, labs, EKGs, and stitches; electronic medical record keeping.

Staffed by: Professional physician-led medical team. Insurance accepted: Most forms of insurance. Primary care provider?: No.

Penn State Hershey Medical Group – Fishburn Road Walk-in Clinic

845 Fishburn Road, Derry Twp.
www.pennstatehershey.org; 717-531-8181
Hours: Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.
Services include: Medical treatment for a range of common injuries and illnesses.
Staffed by: Physicians, nurse practitioners and other staff from Penn State Hershey Medical Group. Insurance accepted: Most insurances are accepted.
Primary care provider?: No.

PinnacleHealth Evening Care

4400 Carlisle Pike, Hampden Twp.
www.pinnaclehealth.org; 717-975-9800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.-10 p.m.; Holidays, 3 p.m.-10 p.m.

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Services include: Quality, acute medical care for conditions from coughs and flu to sprains and sinus infections. Staffed by: Nurse practitioners, physician assistants with physician support.
Insurance accepted: Most insurance carriers are accepted.
Primary care provider: No.

PinnacleHealth System Riverview Primary Care

Emergency Department, PinnacleHealth Harrisburg Campus, 111 S. Front St., Harrisburg www.pinnaclehealth.org; 717-782-5976
Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Services include: Primary and urgent care services such as coughs, colds, flu, headaches/sinus infections, skin rashes, pregnancy testing, emergency medication refills, removal of stitches or sutures, and other minor conditions. Patients can be seen and treated in the emergency department without having to leave.

Staffed by: Nurse practitioners with physician support.
Insurance accepted: Most insurance carriers are accepted.
Primary care provider: Yes, until a permanent primary care physician relationship is secured.

Patient First

Locations include:
• 5125 Jonestown Road, Lower Paxton Twp.; 717-943-1566 • 107 S. Sporting Hill Road, Hampden Twp.; 717-943-1781 www.patientfirst.com

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Hours: 8 a.m.-10p.m., 365 days a year

Services include: On-site labs, x-rays, and prescription drugs. Treatment for conditions such as: allergic reactions, musculoskeletal injuries, cough, cuts and scrapes, ear or sinus pain, eye irritation and pain, fevers, colds, flu, frequent and painful urination, mild to moderate asthma attacks, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, sore throat, sprains, strains, stitches, flu and tetanus vaccinations.

Staffed by: Board certified physicians and physician extenders, registered nurses, lab and x-ray technologists, medical assistants and front office personnel.

Insurance accepted: All major insurances accepted. Primary care provider?: Yes.
WRITTEN BY JULIE DREESE, For PennLive.com

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I wanted to thank all of the staff for their attention and care for my ill, 18 month old son. Yesterday, I was directed by my son’s pediatrician, who spoke very highly of the facility, to take my son in for evaluation after suffering from an extended illness that persisted into the weekend. The women at the front desk were pleasant, caring, and kind. I was seen quickly, and the clinical assistants were all excellent, illustrating thier comfortability and experience when dealing with young children. They instantly put my son and I at ease, minimizing his fussiness. Dr. O’Neill saw him – he was thorough, clear, and caring as well. Most impressive was that he took the time to contact my son’s doctor and engage in a dialogue about how to proceed with my son’s care. He also offered follow up support should we need medical help later that evening. Thankfully, my son is on the mend! Overall, I am so impressed with this facility and its staff. I will most certainly choose All Better Care for my own and my son’s urgent care needs in the future!

Superior Walk-in Care^℠

The People There Are Fantastic

Dr. Smolin Featured in PennLive Article

These guys are totally awesome!

I Can’t Say Enough Good Things About This Place

Amazing Team!

Amazing team! From start to finish, staff was friendly, caring, knowledgeable and efficient! Thank you so much for caring for my son and helping him feel comfortable too! Hope we don’t need urgent care again, but if we do, we know right where to go!

Professional and Caring

Visit Exceeded Every Expectation

AllBetterCare On the Move!!

Your Staff Was So Pleasant and Caring!

Outstanding Care

Superior Walk-in Care℠

Amazing team! From start to finish, staff was friendly, caring, knowledgeable and efficient! Thank you so much for caring for my son and helping him feel comfortable too! Hope we don’t need urgent care again, but if we do, we know right where to go!

Superior Walk-in Care^℠